(The EPA lists the Audi A4 1.8T as a compact car - the size Bob
Hagin prefers. Matt Hagin thinks that the government should set up a
"fun sedan" category and put the A4 1.8T into it.)

MATT - This Audi A4 has been out for a couple of years now and its
sales during that time have put this Volkswagen-owned company back on
the American auto map. Its small enough to be nimble around town and its
1.8 liter four-banger is turboed-up to put out 150 horsepower. I'm happy
that the company supplied us with a stick-shift this time, Dad. The
automatic utilizes that automatic/stick shift Tiptronic device but the
real McCoy is more in keeping with the sportiness of this A4.

BOB - In my case, I think I'd prefer the Tiptronic system, Matt. It
allows the driver to selectively rip through the five ratios in the
automatic almost as easily as with a conventional stick-shift, but a
"senior citizen" like myself appreciates being able put the thing in
drive and cruise through city traffic. The engine is a work of art with
three intake valves and two exhausts. The design has more to due with
control of emissions and increased corporate average fuel economy than
it does with performance but the only other car on the U.S. market that
I can think of that uses five valves per cylinder is the Ferrari.

MATT - And the turbocharger is small enough that it doesn't react
like you're releasing the hand brake when it kicks in. The 1.8T has
remarkable flexibility too, due in part to the fact that it develops its
torque at a very low 1750 RPM. You don't have to spin its heart out to
get it going. There's a V-6 engine available in the A4 as well. It's 2.8
liters and it puts out 190 horses without a turbocharger. It uses five
valves per cylinder too, just like the 1.8 and it's design is even more
sophisticated in that it has variable intake valve timing and an
automatically variable length system on the intake port runners. These
items give it good flexibility at low speeds, but again it doesn't come
on like gangbusters to pull the wheel out of your hands under hard
acceleration like some high-powered front-wheel-drive cars.

BOB - The trick four-bar front suspension helps in this area too,
Matt. It keeps the front tires in constant tire-footprint contact with
the pavement even when the car is in a full-lock turn position. Our test
rig had the sports performance package which drops the car almost an
inch and adds more assertive valving to the shocks as well different
sway bars and stiffer road springs. The car really has a sporting
attitude and the driver's position backs up this claim. The front bucket
seats are typically Teutonic with firm padding and lots of thigh
support. It has full instrumentation with coolant and oil temperature
gauges as well as an oil pressure gauge, a volt meter and the
prerequisite speedometer and tachometer. The red lighting on the dash
panel at night is a little spooky at first but you get used to it.

MATT - The A4 is listed as a five-seater but that crowds things a
bit in the back and some leg room may have been compromised to
incorporate the large amount of trunk space. Our test car had a cold
weather package that included a special built-in ski holder bag that's
incorporated into the rear seat back. I guess Audi considers winter
sports almost as important as heat to the door locks, front seats and
outside mirrors and all the other stuff that makes up the kit. Although
it would drop the fuel mileage by a couple of miles per gallon, the
Quattro full-time all-wheel-drive system that's offered on the A4 is
worthwhile. It's a bargain at $1650 and a very useful item in areas
where snow and road ice are constant threats during the winter months.

BOB - I had a couple of Audi 5000s many years ago, Matt, and they
were good road cars even when they were old and pretty well worn out.

MATT - Dad, its a good thing that the auto industry doesn't have to
depend on guys like you to keep it going by buying new cars. When
exactly was the last time you bought a new one?

BOB - Your Mom has gotten into the habit of getting a new set of
wheels periodically but the first and last one for me was in '57. I
wrecked it a few months later.